Oman is aiming to secure their fourth victory to secure a spot in the next stage of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the Fifa World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. They will face Chinese Taipei in a crucial match in Group D at the Taipei Municipal Stadium on Thursday at 3:00 pm (Oman Time).
The team, led by Jaroslav Silhavy, is determined to reach 12 points in the group before their important match against Kyrgyzstan in Muscat on Tuesday. Kyrgyzstan, currently at the top of the group, will play against Malaysia at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek on Thursday. A victory in Thursday's match will secure Oman's place in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Silhavy expressed confidence in a press conference on Wednesday, stating that the team is prepared for the challenge and is focused on achieving a positive outcome. He acknowledged the strength of Chinese Taipei but emphasized Oman's goal of continuing their winning streak.
The 62-year-old confirmed that the team is in optimal condition for the upcoming match. "With recent victories under our belt, we are on a winning streak and we aim to continue on this path of success. This match is crucial, but we must also keep in mind the upcoming important game against Kyrgyzstan, which is expected to be highly competitive," stated the Czech coach.
Expressing his hopes for perfect weather and favorable circumstances, he added, "Tomorrow, we anticipate ideal conditions that will inspire us to showcase our best performance. Our focus is solely on today's match."
Oman captain Harib al Saadi emphasized the significance of the game against Chinese Taipei. "Our objective is to secure a victory and advance to the next stage of the qualifiers. We anticipate a challenging game and it is our responsibility to deliver a top-notch performance in order to claim a win," he stated.
Having completed all their tactical training sessions on Wednesday, the team is well-prepared to face Chinese Taipei. Coach Silhavy will rely on several key players, including Mohsin al Ghassani, Omar al Malki, Issam al Subhi, Salah al Yahyaei, and others. The Red Warriors are determined to return to Muscat with the winning points and gear up for the final match against Kyrgyzstan.
